--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Light and shadow are opposite sides of…" description: "\"Light and shadow are opposite sides of the same coin. We can illuminate our paths or darken our way. It is a matter of choice.\" — Maya Angelou" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f13/maya-angelou-104_choices_light-and-shadow-are-opposite-sides-of-t_790358.png" --- # Light and shadow are opposite sides of the same coin. We… ![“Light and shadow are opposite sides of the same coin. We can illuminate our paths or darken our way. It is a matter of choice.” quote by Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f13/maya-angelou-104_choices_light-and-shadow-are-opposite-sides-of-t_790358.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f13/maya-angelou-104_choices_light-and-shadow-are-opposite-sides-of-t_790358.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f13/maya-angelou-104_choices_light-and-shadow-are-opposite-sides-of-t_790358.png) > “Light and shadow are opposite sides of the same coin. We can illuminate our paths or darken our way. It is a matter of choice.” [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choices shape perception; light and darkness are two aspects of the same reality, determined by personal decisions. **In simple terms:** We choose to see light or darkness. Key Takeaway Choose positivity. Themes choice perception duality light darkness Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - making decisions - overcoming adversity - creative problem solving - mindful meditation - visual arts Key Concepts Philosophy psychology mindset Questions to Reflect On - What choices illuminate your path? - How do you confront darkness constructively? A Different Perspective Light and shadow can both coexist, making clarity hard. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light and shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-and-shadow/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) ## Related quotes > [All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is not one filled with only sunshine, but one which uses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/all-the-masterpieces-of-art-contain-both-light-and-shadow-a-happy/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“The estimation of an artist's talent is often based on his ability to render both light and shadow. If you have any choice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-guzeman/the-estimation-of-an-artist-s-talent-is-often-based-on-his-ability-to/) [Tracy Guzeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-guzeman/) > [Remember, light and shadow never stand still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-west/remember-light-and-shadow-never-stand-still/) Benjamin West > [When night falls over Washington, D.C., memorials, public buildings, and broad avenues become ethereal shapes in soft light and shadow. Floodlights, piercing the darkness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volkmar-wentzel/when-night-falls-over-washington-d-c-memorials-public-buildings-and/) Volkmar Wentzel > [“The arches of the woods, even at high noon, cast their sombre shadows on the spot, which the brilliant rays of the sun that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fenimore-cooper/the-arches-of-the-woods-even-at-high-noon-cast-their-sombre-shadows/) [James Fenimore Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fenimore-cooper/) > [I have been sitting watching that ever since I came back, the continuous variations of light and shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-lee/i-have-been-sitting-watching-that-ever-since-i-came-back-the/) [Laurie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-lee/) > [“All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow." Levin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/all-the-variety-all-the-charm-all-the-beauty-of-life-is-made-up-of-2/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Life is a mixture of light and shadow, calm and storm, and it's all good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-w-krebs/life-is-a-mixture-of-light-and-shadow-calm-and-storm-and-it-s-all-good/) Susan W. Krebs > [Light is the shadow of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/light-is-the-shadow-of-god/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/all-the-variety-all-the-charm-all-the-beauty-of-life-is-made-up-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“It is only where the light and shadow meet, we can see the beauty of both the light and the shadow!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/it-is-only-where-the-light-and-shadow-meet-we-can-see-the-beauty-of/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [My quest, through the magic of light and shadow, is to isolate, to simplify and to give emphasis to form with the greatest clarity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/my-quest-through-the-magic-of-light-and-shadow-is-to-isolate-to/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [Shadow is a colour as light is, but less brilliant; light and shadow are only the relation of two tones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/shadow-is-a-colour-as-light-is-but-less-brilliant-light-and-shadow/) [Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/) > [Withdraw now from the invisible pounding and weaving of your ingrained ideas. If you want to be rid of this invisible turmoil, you must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hongzhi-zhengjue/withdraw-now-from-the-invisible-pounding-and-weaving-of-your/) [Hongzhi Zhengjue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hongzhi-zhengjue/) > [“You walk in both light and shadow, and each one fits you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michayla-roth/you-walk-in-both-light-and-shadow-and-each-one-fits-you/) [Michayla Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michayla-roth/) ## More by Maya Angelou > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“You are very kind and very intelligent and those elements are not always found together. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-are-very-kind-and-very-intelligent-and-those-elements-are-not/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [You want me to do something... tell me I can't do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-want-me-to-do-something-tell-me-i-can-t-do-it/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Intelligence is a separate gift, for the benefit of students, so that they may think of themselves as intellectual and not very intelligent, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/intelligence-is-a-separate-gift-for-the-benefit-of-students-so-that/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/life-is-going-to-give-you-just-what-you-put-in-it-put-your-whole/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-may-write-me-down-in-history-with-your-bitter-twisted-lies-you/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-more-you-know-of-your-history-the-more-liberated-you-are/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Life offers us tickets to places which we have not knowingly asked for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/life-offers-us-tickets-to-places-which-we-have-not-knowingly-asked-for/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm working at trying to be a Christian, and that's serious business. It's like trying to be a good Jew, a good Muslim, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-m-working-at-trying-to-be-a-christian-and-that-s-serious-business/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Nathaniel Hawthorne once said that easy reading is damn hard writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/nathaniel-hawthorne-once-said-that-easy-reading-is-damn-hard-writing/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Sunday, if I'm lucky, I'll go to church or listen to some good spiritual advice on the television or on the radio. I take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/sunday-if-i-m-lucky-i-ll-go-to-church-or-listen-to-some-good/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) [Explore all 1,313 Maya Angelou quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Light and shadow are opposite sides of the same coin. 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